News from the Library of Congress

May 17, 2013

Rising 5th and 6th Graders Asked to Write About “A Book That Shaped Me”

The Library of Congress today announced a summer essay contest in conjunction with public libraries in the Mid-Atlantic region encouraging rising 5th and 6th grade students to reflect on books that have made a personal impact on their lives.

The "A Book That Shaped Me" Summer Writing Contest is administered as part of summer reading programs at participating public libraries in Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Prizes will be awarded and top winners will be invited to present their essays during a special presentation at the Library of Congress National Book Festival Sept. 21 and 22 on the National Mall.

Students entering 5th and 6th grades in the fall of 2013 are eligible. Essays, focused on a single book, should be one page in length and must be submitted with an entry form, in person, at participating public library locations.

"A Book That Shaped Me" will award prizes to five finalists and one winner per state, and to three overall grand-prize winners. The three grand-prize winners will be selected by a panel of judges assembled by the Library of Congress including educators, children’s authors, and Library of Congress staff.

Submission forms are available at the Library of Congress Young Readers Center in the Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First St S.E., Washington, DC. or at participating public library locations. The list of participating libraries, more information, and program updates will be available at www.loc.gov/bookfest/kids-teachers/booksthatshape/.

Launched in 2012 with the DC Public Library, "A Book That Shaped Me" is expanding throughout the Mid-Atlantic region in its second year with the help of public libraries in Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. More than 270 public libraries are registered to participate. Public library systems in these states may sign up through May 31, 2013 by contacting BooksShapeContest@loc.gov for program details.

The Library announced the expansion of the contest as part of its Children’s Book Week event featuring Fred Bowen, KidsPost sportswriter and author of books for young people. Children's Book Week is sponsored by the Children's Book Council, which is a reading promotion partner of the Library of Congress Center for the Book.

Founded in 1800, the Library of Congress is the nation’s oldest federal cultural institution. The Library seeks to spark imagination and creativity and to further human understanding and wisdom by providing access to knowledge through its magnificent collections, programs and exhibitions. Many of the Library’s rich resources can be accessed through its website at www.loc.gov.